Day 12 – Space Museum

Yesterday, Scott and I drove over to Terry’s house (Terry is Bruce’s wife) to take Bethany up to the Space Museum. For those who don’t know, Alamogordo, NM, played a major role in the US Space program. White Sands just to the west is the site where many of our early rockets were tested. Werner Von Braun and his fellow German scientists were brought here after WWII.

Anyhow, we didn’t really get moving until 12:30. I always feel guilty when I don’t get the day’s projects moving until noon or later… I have to remind myself I’M ON VACATION!!!!

Uncle Scott and Eleanor (2y4m)

By the time we got up to the museum, it was a little after 1 p.m. After checking times for the various movies at the IMAX, we started our tour through the museum… it’s a 4 story building, and you start at the top, then walk down. On the fourth floor, a docent gave us a talk about what it’s like to live in space. This gentleman had never been to space, but worked closely with the astronauts throughout the 60s. He was also a NASA “frogman”, whose job it was to meet the returned capsules (Gemini and Apollo) in the ocean, open them up and assist the astronauts out and into the waiting helicopter. He had several fascinating stories!

Uncle Scott and Bethany (almost 12y)

We got through the third floor of the museum when they announced that the Sharks movie would begin soon at the IMAX, so we ran down there. Bethany wasn’t too interested in the “Moon Desolation” movie, so we watched Sharks. I guess it was good… the room was cool, it was dark, and there was light music. I fell asleep!

When it was over, we decided not to go back to the museum. Bethany really wasn’t in to space, either, it turns out. But the important thing for us was just getting to spend some time with our niece! So who cares?

After the movie, we drove out to Tularosa to do some shopping, and to visit a Pistachio farm. Then we headed back to Terry’s. Terry was out, so we played a game of DragonMaster with Bethany. She’s really not found too many friends since moving to Alamogordo after her daddy was killed. No one will play this game with her. Her Dad used to. So Scott and I played awhile.

About 7 we all went out to dinner, then over to Mudder & Pops for desert and to see Mark and Julie (Scott’s youngest brother and his wife). We were there until almost 10:30 last night!

One Response to "Day 12 – Space Museum"

Sounds like a wonderful day to me. Am sure glad you spent time with Bethany. It was almost heartbreaking when you said that she has not found many friends her age since her father passed away who would play the game with her. I will keep Terry and Bethany in my prayers!